By: Okey Alozie/ Tochi Onyeubi
Pandemonium struck on Tuesday in the once busy Douglas road, Owerri, as the state capital was thrown in disarray and confusion over a fracas that broke out between Owerri youths and Ohaji youths.
Emerging reports revealed that, traders who used to ply their trade in the area went ahead to open the locked shops by the state government to resume trading activities, but were halted by the Ohaji youths who disguised as taskforce, to harass, beat up and seize their goods.
Annoyed by the action of the Ohaji youths, the youths of the area challenged them, which led to an altercation between them and a fight broke out.
Security Personnel’s who were dispatched to the area to calm the raging storm, Trumpeta learnt, were caught up in the fray and in a bid to disperse them, threw out canisters. This action only made Owerri youths withdrew, but they were given a hot chase by Ohaji youths while the police let out gunshots into the air.
Onlookers who observed from a safe place complained bitterly over the one sided action of the police adding that, instead of managing the issue on ground, they backed the thugs from Ohaji against the Owerri youths.
Passersby who had no prior knowledge of the issue fell victim of violence and became casualties, many were injured but no lives were lost.
A resident who complained bitterly, lamented how she almost lost her little children in the confusion, due to the heavy teargas. She decried the high rate of lawlessness and harassment by different outfits in the state.
Recall that, an Owerri High court last week issued an order restraining the Governor from carrying out any developmental activity on the Eke-onunwa market, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
In addition to the above, the Uche Onyeagocha campaign organization released a publication recently, mandating all traders to open their lock up stores in the area, this was assumed the reason for the resumption of trading activities, as against the orders of the state governor, who last month, locked all shops in the area and went home with the keys.
